…the Voice of the Sneakerhead Community

K-Swiss and Diplo introduce The Board – calling all Sneak-entrepreneurs!

K-Swiss is partnering with renowned DJ and producer Diplo to launch ‘The Board’, a game changing campaign built to inspire, and to be led by, the next generation of young entrepreneurs.

K-Swiss itself was the brainchild of two entrepreneurs who moved to California in 1966 and built K-Swiss from tennis shoe to global brand. Diplo will serve as the Director of a 100-person board comprised of creative and connected individuals who will work on real tasks to bring the K•Swiss brand back to prominence. The application site IS LIVE NOW with submissions being accepted until April 30, 2015 at http://www.kswiss.com/theboard.

“We believe that consumer aspirations have shifted. The goal has evolved beyond being the fastest runner or being a celebrity. Young people want their own brands, their own voice and their own businesses. K-Swiss is committed to outfitting and inspiring this generation of entrepreneurs,” said Barney Waters, chief marketing officer of K-Swiss Global Brands. “We have created a program with substance, where our customers get involved in the process of rebuilding K-Swiss and make real contributions. As a respected entrepreneur and global music talent, Diplo is the perfect leader for ‘The Board’.”

Led by Diplo himself, successful applicants to ‘The Board’ will be invited to the program’s members-only website in a kind of online sneaker apprentice type thing, with a six-course curriculum connecting the group with industry insiders. Each chosen insider will lead a discussion session specific to their expertise, and then assign a task to the board that relates to K-Swiss’ business. Members of ‘The Board’ will make real decisions on real projects that K-Swiss will follow. The program will highlight important topics, including: brand positioning, sneaker design, social media promotion and drafting a business plan.

“I was instantly drawn to the K-Swiss brand due to their heritage and longevity in the marketplace,” said Diplo. “I am excited to be part of ‘The Board’, to bring young entrepreneurial minds into the process to help build the next chapter at such a respected brand.”

‘The Board’ application period is now open online here. Entries close on April 30, 2015 at 11:59 PM PST. Follow Diplo and ‘The Board’ online at http://www.kswiss.com and through social media via #ourkswiss and #theboard.